Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower

Author:Amanda Flower [Flower, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2021-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

When we got back to the candy shop, Hannah was in much brighter spirits. Lois had given us a stack of children’s books, crayons, and coloring sheets to entertain her, saying, “We keep these in the café to entertain the kiddos that come in so their parents can have a quiet meal. I can’t say that it always works, but it might help Hannah get through the day at Swissmen Sweets. If you need anything, or need me to come over and sign for you, just holler. I’ll come as quick as I can.”

I hugged her. “Thank you. You can’t know how much this means to us. You are the best neighbor we could have at a time like this. You have a pretty big heart, too, Lois.”

“Don’t you let that get out.” She winked at me.

Back at Swissmen Sweets, Maami got Hannah settled at one of the café tables at the front of the shop with a few of the books that Lois had given her.

Maami smiled at me. “I know better than to give her all the books and coloring books at once. Children are soon bored with activities that are no longer new to them. You certainly were that way when you were young.” She tucked the rest of the books, coloring books, and crayons on a shelf under the cash register.

Then she filled a small white box with lemon drops and set them on the table next to Hannah. Hannah looked up from her book with glowing eyes. She popped one of the lemon drops in her month and went back to the book.

“Maami, she just had pie and pancakes with maple syrup at the Sunbeam Café. I doubt she needs any more sugar.”

“I know we can’t just feed the child sugar, but a few lemon drops never hurt anyone.”

I smiled. “Okay, Maami.” I glanced back at the table where Hannah sucked on lemon drops and flipped the book pages. She didn’t know what had happened to the only mother she had ever known. It made me ache to think that I neither had the authority nor the ability to tell her.

I texted Aiden and asked about the social worker he had promised. I got a frowny face in response. SHE’LL BE THERE LATER THIS AFTERNOON. I THINK CLOSE TO THREE. SHE HAS A LOT OF CLIENTS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, I texted back. BUT IT DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT TO KEEP HANNAH IN THE DARK ABOUT HER MOTHER’S DEATH. EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE KNOWS. IF SHE COULD HEAR, SHE WOULD ALREADY KNOW BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TALKING.

I AGREE, BUT THE SOCIAL WORKER SAID THAT SHE NEEDS TO ASSESS HANNAH AND BE THERE WHEN SHE IS TOLD ABOUT ROSEMARY. I’M SORRY. MY HANDS ARE TIED. WITH NO LEGAL GUARDIAN ALIVE, SHE IS A WARD OF THE COUNTY.

BUT HER BIOLOGICAL MOTHER IS ALIVE.

EVEN IF I AGREE WITH YOU, THAT’S AN ASSUMPTION YOU ARE MAKING.

I stared at the screen. Dots flashed as Aiden was typing; then I read, WE DON’T EVEN KNOW IF EMILY WANTS HER.

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